"...to be with others you realize you are not alone. Plus you have the opportunity to learn from each other’s experiences. [Memory cafe] is a comfort for my wife, during the early stages as she realized she also was not alone.”

“I am thankful for the Memory Cafe program and all the wonderful staff and presenters who make our months special.” 

“The memory cafés give us an opportunity to get to know others who are negotiating the ups and downs of this journey. No one really knows until they have "walked in our shoes". There is a strong common bond of the family members at the café. It also gives us an opportunity to do and learn some fun things with our loved ones who have the disease. [My husband] also really enjoys socializing with the other folks.”

We are both excited when it is Memory Café day.  We see our new friends and everyone gets to, but not pressured to, participate. The flexibility of the facilitators to go with the flow really helps with the relaxed atmosphere that those living with dementia don’t often find.

“We always leave the Memory Café happier people than we came. So important because those moments can be few and fleeting.”

People enjoy fun connection, positive conversations and the realization of retained skills and talents at monthly memory cafes.  

As past friendships often fall away and isolation happens when people are living with dementia, memory cafes also offer an opportunity to create new relationships and forge mutual supportive bonds among participants. People look forward to reconnecting each time and some also get together outside of cafes.

Lovely setting, smiling faces, familiar faces, snacks, pictures, simple crafts, and Aurora borealis planetarium show. You all really jammed a lot of goodness in the day, thank you! 

Seeing so many friends from the various Memory Cafes I've attended. Having this social event to connect with those who have become good friends and making new friends.

Volunteers really do a great job getting the attendees to interact and engage. They also remember if you attended another Memory Cafe and make you feel like a community. That is huge for everyone but especially individuals with dementia. Also loved the activities including the planetarium, animal exhibits, and music. Great variety to make the day fun!